The Chelsea forward left Inter Milan on a high last summer but is presently enduring one of the lowest points of his career in London
Former Belgium international Gert Verheyen has advised Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers to learn from Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku when making his transfer decision in the summer.
Lukaku made a sensational return to Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer, seven years after permanently leaving the Blues for Everton.
The Belgian forward was probably the most influential player for Inter, becoming a fan’s favourite as the Italian giants strolled to the Serie A title.
Lukaku’s €113 million move has, however, not gone according to plan, with the 28-year-old managing a measly five goals in 28 appearances, making the starting eleven in just 38 percent of the Blues’ league games.
And former Club Brugge ace Verheyen does not want Dessers to end up like Lukaku.
Dessers is presently the darling of Feyenoord supporters. The Super Eagles striker has scored a European club record ten goals to lift the Rotterdammers to the semifinal of the Europa Conference League.
But he is on a season-long loan deal from Belgium side KRC Genk and could return to the Smurfs should Feyenoord fail to part with his transfer fee of €4 million before June 1.
Feyenoord have shown little willingness to acquire Dessers permanently, but the club’s hands may be forced soon after a section of their supporters started crowd-funding the transfer fee.
Verheyen believes Dessers is not guaranteed a starting spot back at Genk, and it would be unwise to leave De Kuip where he enjoys the fans’ affections.
“If you bring Dessers back, Genk should see him as the number one striker. Because if the coach thinks another striker is better, Dessers will be on the bench again,” Gert Verheyen told Het Nieuwsblad, via Walfoot.
“He deserves this chance, but if I was in his place, I would do anything to stay at Feyenoord. Because of the status he has there now. You always have to start from scratch when you go anywhere else.
“Look at (Romelu) Lukaku. He left Inter when he was at the top there. Whereas you always perform better when you know you are appreciated there.”
Dessers has made no secret of his desire to stay at Feyenoord beyond the summer.
